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Roses in Rome: A Novel
Two years ago, Siena Baker had everything she wanted: a prestigious career, living in Chicago, engaged to charming and witty Joey Schaeffer…but all that’s gone now.
Siena’s mother inherits a Roman flat and she’s whisked far away from her past and into a world of Renaissance art, Italian food, and the chance to fall in love again.
Just when Siena thinks she can move on from her past, a bouquet of roses with a mysterious note arrives, sending her on a journey to discover who sent them and why. As she uncovers the truth, she realizes a link to her past might hold the key to her future.
She just hopes she isn’t too late.
Siena’s mother inherits a Roman flat and she’s whisked far away from her past and into a world of Renaissance art, Italian food, and the chance to fall in love again.
Just when Siena thinks she can move on from her past, a bouquet of roses with a mysterious note arrives, sending her on a journey to discover who sent them and why. As she uncovers the truth, she realizes a link to her past might hold the key to her future.
She just hopes she isn’t too late.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 3, 2026
A BIG thank you, Jessica, for sharing this beautiful story! I’m looking forward to discussing it in book club. I believe everyone can relate to this book in one way or another—it touches on struggles, work-life balance, and the journey of working on oneself. So many emotions! 💕🌹 Definitely add to your TBR 🛒
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2026
Once I pick this book up, I never set it down Reddit in one sitting!!
This book was so real so many emotions I loved it. It’s told in present and past tense.. it’s about grief, forgiveness, finding herself and love. I can relate so much to this.. excited to discuss with book club and Jessica next week!!!🥰
This book was so real so many emotions I loved it. It’s told in present and past tense.. it’s about grief, forgiveness, finding herself and love. I can relate so much to this.. excited to discuss with book club and Jessica next week!!!🥰
November 4, 2025
This book! I had some many emotions throughout this book. From falling in love to grieving to healing and everything in between! I loved all the Chicago references as well as all the Italian details. The dual timeline really kept me guessing what was going to happen and how Sienna got to the point she was at. Loved this book!
October 9, 2025
Oh, my heart! This is such a touching story that made me feel so many things. The highs, the lows, the HEALING! I found this book randomly on my IG, and the cover kept grabbing my attention. It was literally to the point where I couldn't ignore it anymore. I am so glad I've read this.
I thought this was going to be a happy go lucky story of Siena going to Rome and finding herself. Which it's not. This story is so much more, and this is going to take a while for me to digest and really get my thoughts in line.
Siena feels so real, like she was plucked out of the author's friend circle and became so 3D in the story. She practically jumped off the page. Siena felt like something more than the average relatable or realistic character. I thought she was something special.
I would have liked to have seen more of the love between Siena and Joey. Their story is told in past tense, so it felt to me like it was told via snapshots. I would love to see the author write a slow burn; I'd imagine it would be *chef's kiss*.
Thank you, Jessica Everly, for the ARC opportunity. This honest review has been left voluntarily.
I thought this was going to be a happy go lucky story of Siena going to Rome and finding herself. Which it's not. This story is so much more, and this is going to take a while for me to digest and really get my thoughts in line.
Siena feels so real, like she was plucked out of the author's friend circle and became so 3D in the story. She practically jumped off the page. Siena felt like something more than the average relatable or realistic character. I thought she was something special.
I would have liked to have seen more of the love between Siena and Joey. Their story is told in past tense, so it felt to me like it was told via snapshots. I would love to see the author write a slow burn; I'd imagine it would be *chef's kiss*.
Thank you, Jessica Everly, for the ARC opportunity. This honest review has been left voluntarily.
January 12, 2026
I was so pleasantly surprised by this one! I'm not typically one to love romance, but this one was different. This book made me want to go to both Chicago and Rome and had me googling works of art and famous landmarks in both. The back and forth between the past and present made this book exciting. I had to keep squeezing in *just one more* chapter to find out what happened next. The relationships and characters were beautifully developed... The love story, the sisters, the unexpected friendships. I also loooooved the roses. The way they became part of the story... With subtle art clues (geeked out over that). Will definitely recommend to my book club.
March 1, 2026
Loved this book!!! The story dives in right away with a pinch-me romantic hook, but then gets so much deeper and takes you on an emotional and geographical journey. I loved the Chicago start with specific details (including Notre Dame references with so many fans nearby!), and though I’ve never been to Rome the descriptions really brought it to life for me and made me want to visit.
Not your typical casual rom-com style novel, definitely in a good way. More depth and self discovery and a split timeline that keeps you wanting more of whichever timeline you’re in!
Not your typical casual rom-com style novel, definitely in a good way. More depth and self discovery and a split timeline that keeps you wanting more of whichever timeline you’re in!
November 14, 2025
Such a beautiful story! The alternating timeline kept me engaged throughout. As someone who has experienced miscarriages, I was touched by the way Jessica so delicately gave light to the devastation of losing a child. I also loved witnessing Siena’s subtle reversion back to her Catholic faith. This was a beautifully written and enjoyable read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2025
A beautiful, heartfelt story of love, loss and forgiveness.
I loved the converging time line, the setting in Rome and the relationship between Joey and Siena.
The second half of the book in particular began to jump off the page when things got a little messy.
I loved the converging time line, the setting in Rome and the relationship between Joey and Siena.
The second half of the book in particular began to jump off the page when things got a little messy.
January 24, 2026
I really enjoyed this one.
The past to the present ✅️
The combination of sensitivity to the subject of loss, and also the real and raw emotions that come along with it ✅️
The mystery of the bouquet ✅️
and, that ending ✅️
I now need a vacation to Rome!
The past to the present ✅️
The combination of sensitivity to the subject of loss, and also the real and raw emotions that come along with it ✅️
The mystery of the bouquet ✅️
and, that ending ✅️
I now need a vacation to Rome!
April 1, 2026
This book was a breath of fresh air. I really loved this sweet romance; it felt just like a Hallmark movie in the best way. Jessica did a lovely job of writing a book that was not only entertaining and romantic, but also very caring and intentional in the way various topics were discussed in terms of miscarriage, infertility and religion. I highly recommend this book! Jessica is so kind and lovely; I hosted a book club for Roses in Rome and we got to do a Q&A session with her to discuss more of the book. I can’t wait to read her next release!
October 27, 2025
I absolutely loved this book!!
November 23, 2025
Such a sweet story! Great debut novel Jess!
January 27, 2026
- First Person, Single POV, Dual timelines
- Contemporary Romance (with Christian themes)
- Closed door Romance
- some mild language used as well as implied intimacy
Wow....that is all, just wow.
Okay, so I'm only kidding, that isn't all I have to say about this book, but it does sum it up nicely, because seriously, what a beautiful story Roses in Rome was.
First of all, I love how the author used the Dual timelines to fit her plot and ultimate goal for the book perfectly. Unraveling a little truth each jump back and forth. Not only that, but Jessica's writing style was wonderful, and the book was full of beautiful descriptions helping me visualize everything thoroughly. Her characters also felt like real and relatable people.
This book had a pretty heavy storyline at times, but there was also the perfect amount of humor as well as sweet moments, which gave it the best kind of balance. And I loved the faith elements that were thrown in with the beautiful message of how God is always with us, no matter the circumstances.
For a book that wasn't a thriller, it still did an excellent job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. I craved finding out all the details from the past that led to the present day.
Roses In Rome was a stunning and well written story of ambition, love, loss, healing, hope, forgiveness, and finding oneself. I highly recommend picking up this book.
I received a review copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion and thoughts
- Contemporary Romance (with Christian themes)
- Closed door Romance
- some mild language used as well as implied intimacy
Wow....that is all, just wow.
Okay, so I'm only kidding, that isn't all I have to say about this book, but it does sum it up nicely, because seriously, what a beautiful story Roses in Rome was.
First of all, I love how the author used the Dual timelines to fit her plot and ultimate goal for the book perfectly. Unraveling a little truth each jump back and forth. Not only that, but Jessica's writing style was wonderful, and the book was full of beautiful descriptions helping me visualize everything thoroughly. Her characters also felt like real and relatable people.
This book had a pretty heavy storyline at times, but there was also the perfect amount of humor as well as sweet moments, which gave it the best kind of balance. And I loved the faith elements that were thrown in with the beautiful message of how God is always with us, no matter the circumstances.
For a book that wasn't a thriller, it still did an excellent job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. I craved finding out all the details from the past that led to the present day.
Roses In Rome was a stunning and well written story of ambition, love, loss, healing, hope, forgiveness, and finding oneself. I highly recommend picking up this book.
I received a review copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion and thoughts
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews